Dali (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is an international standard communication protocol (IEC 62386) and a global standard for dimming.

Dali combines the accuracy and energy-efficiency of digital dimming with lamp and ballast failure feedback and provides the ability to individually address multiple ballasts along a single buswire. Dali enables standard digital messages to be transmitted and received by any Dali ballast irrespective of supplier, so clients receive the benefits of Dali technology without being reliant on a single vendor.

Delmatic are acknowledged leaders in the supply of Dali lighting management systems and offer an extensive range of Dali control modules as well as Dali sensors, devices and peripherals.

Delmatic’s range of Dali Control Module acknowledges that there are different degrees of flexibility required across a project and includes modules to suit every type of installation as well as minimise and avoid on-site addressing.

Delmatic comprehensive array of Dali devices includes Dali Presence Detectors, Dali Absence Detectors, Dali Photocells and Dali Multisensors, as well as Dali Switches and Dali Switch Interfaces, Dali Switching Relays (for control of non-Dali light sources within a Dali network) and Dali Emergency Test and Monitoring Units which test and monitor emergency lighting within a Dali network. These devices connect direct to the Dali bus and reduce cabling compared to other control systems.

Delmatic have equipped major international projects with Dali systems and examples include:

30 St Mary Axe London, UK	ADIA Headquarters Abu Dhabi, UAE	Arcapita Bank Headquarters Manama, Bahrain
Masdar MIST Dhabi, UAE	Middlesex University London, UK	The London Clinic London, UK

Dali Modules
Delmatic offer a wide range of Dali modules (detailed under the Dali Lighting Control Modules heading of the Products section). An overview of Dali module types is as follows:

Dali buswire modules
One of the major differences between Dali and 0-10V & DSI technologies is that ballasts may be individually addressed along a common buswire. Up to 64 devices may be connected to a single buswire with each ballast assigned a unique address, typically after installation on site. The Dali buswire approach is widely used with busbar trunking where the ability to address individual ballasts enables flexible control of luminaires connected to a common busbar.

Dali plug-in modules
Dali plug-in modules provide all the benefits of Dali while avoiding the need to address ballasts on site. The modules combine the dimming and monitoring features of Dali with the speed and convenience of plug-in connectivity: plug-in Dali modules incorporate pre-addressed ports and are extensively used in office areas with suspended ceilings where the plug-in connectivity is a major benefit.

Dali broadcast modules
Dali broadcast modules offer group control of luminaires by broadcasting commands to channels of Dali fittings. The Dali broadcast approach is frequently used in areas such as corridors, cores and carparks where individual control is not required, and provides the dimming and monitoring benefits of Dali without the need to address the Dali ballasts after installation.

Dali Zero Power
Delmatic were the first company to introduce Dali Zero Power technology which further enhances energy efficiency by avoiding the standby power consumption associated with digital ballasts. Dali Zero Power modules are available in plug-in and hard-wired versions.

Dali cabling
Installing DALI solutions is simple as mains cables and the Dali communications pair can be wired together without segregation. Recommended minimum Dali cable conductor size and cable run lengths are as follows:

less than 100 meters: 0.5mm2
100 to 150 meters: 0.75mm2
more than 150 meters: 1.5mm2
more than 300 meters: not recommended - avoid runs over 300 meters

International Standard EN60925 relates to the use of Dali technology for testing and monitoring emergency lighting and permits a 5 core cable (L,N,E plus Dali pair) to be connected to each fitting regardless of whether luminaires are normal or emergency.